The Brief

The first human case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in the United States.

Health officials say the case was reported in Maryland, and confirmed earlier this month.

The patient had traveled from El Salvador.

New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, has been detected in the United States for the first time.

What we know:

A case of travel-associated New World screwworm reported in Maryland was confirmed by the Center for Disease and Prevention on August 4.

Health officials say the patient was diagnosed after returning from travel to El Salvador, declaring it the first human case of New World screwworm in the United States.

The risk to public health in the U.S. remains very low, according to the CDC.

What is screwworm?

Dig deeper:

The New World screwworm (N

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